World News
U.S. Firm Wins Legal Battle Over Novel Ship Emissions Control Technology Patents
In a case involving two California-based companies, Clean Air Engineering-Maritime (CAEM) and Advanced Environmental Group, LLC (AEG) - both of which market novel mobile scrubber systems to clean up at-berth ship emissions - the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has found that CAEM has not infringed upon AEG's patents, clearing to way for the two companies to compete, local media reports.
As Ship & Bunker reported last year, San Pedro-based CAEM announced that it has received California Air Resource Board (CARB) approval for the Maritime Emissions Treatment System (METS), a portable ship emissions capturing system and alternative to shore power.
While in October, CARB approved the use of Long Beach-based AEG's exhaust gas scrubber alternative, known as the Advanced Maritime Emissions Control System (AMECS).
The companies' systems, both of which can be set on barges to be moved out to a ship, are reported to be the only such technologies that have been granted approval from CARB as alternative scrubber methods.
In October 2012, CAEM is said to have sought a judicial determination that its technology did not infringe upon AEG patents.
In March 2015, a U.S. District court judge found in favour of CAEM, a ruling that has since been upheld in an appeal court.
The latest May court ruling clears the path for CAEM to compete with AEG for shipping companies' business.
"We are using the system consistently at TraPac and a few other shipping terminals at least weekly," said Nick Tonsich, Principal for CAEM.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 641.00 | 4.00 | 762.00 | 5.50 |
| Rotterdam | 599.00 | 1.00 | 751.00 | 0.50 |
| Houston | 629.50 | 2.00 | 802.50 | 6.50 |
| Fujairah | 647.50 | 2.00 | 883.50 | 5.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 661.50 | 3.50 | 859.00 | 5.00 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 629.50 | 1.00 | 799.50 | 1.50 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 719.00 | 3.50 | 915.00 | 7.50 |
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